• Laugh out loud
• Listen to music
• Fly a kite
• Stretch
• Be thankful
• Read for fun
• Daydream
• Take a nap
• Go rock climbing
• Eat organic food
• Canoe
• Remember all the good things about yourself  
• Create a collage representing "The Real Me"
• Write a poem
• Reward yourself
• Juice vegetables
• Make a smoothie
• Make a milkshake
• Reflect on your successes
• Practice relaxation exercises
• Learn yoga
• String popcorn
• Sing, draw, dance, sculpt - express yourself!
• Forgive yourself or someone else
• Plan a vacation
• Enjoy a long bubble bath
• Get or give a massage
• Go to a sporting event
• Fingerpaint
• Rake a pile of leaves and jump in
• Play cards
• Enjoy a free concert at the School of Music
• Plant flowers
• Take a deep breath
• Work a crossword puzzle
• Play hide-and-seek
• Tell someone you appreciate them
• Turn off your phone
• Bake goodies and share them with friends
• Volunteer to be a Big Brother or Sister
• Believe in yourself
• Try on clothes in a favorite store
• Tell yourself the loving words you want to hear
• Reflect on your values
• Go camping
• Soak in a hot tub
• Go bowling
• Play with toys
• Watch your favorite TV show
• Keep a journal
• Call a friend
• People-watch
• Go on a picnic
• Become a volunteer
• Have a pillow fight
• Visit the Farmer's Market
• Play in the snow
• Blow bubbles
• Walk a dog
• Dance in the rain
• Visit a favorite place
• Visit a zoo
• Pamper yourself
• Develop a hobby
• Rent a costume
• Treat yourself to ice cream
• Watch a sunset
• Visit a sick friend
• Make a nutritious meal
• Plan play time
• Smile at a stranger
• Listen to the birds
• Browse through funny cards
• Be optimistic
• Go sledding
• Visit an elderly person
• Carve a pumpkin
• Climb a tree
• Make a scrapbook
• Jump in a mud puddle
• Play on a swingset
• Sit outside on a sunny day
• Create your own list of nurturing activities
• Write a letter
• Thank your mail carrier
• Donate blood
• Sew a homemade pillow
• Meditate
• Go swimming
• Test drive a car
• Write a card to someone just because
• visualize a peaceful place in your mind 
• Listen to ocean waves
• Paint on a canvas
• Draw with colored pencils
• Walk barefoot on the grass
• Rub your feet
• Post a picture of a goal of yours for a dream board
• Buy a new bedspread
• Try a new hair do
• Write down your strengths
• Say Positive affirmations
• Pray
• Go to a concert
• Get up earlier so you do not rush
•  Deep Breathe

                                        By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Living With Hope Counseling   

Do you feel stuck in life or like you are in a rut? 

Try to break up the monotony.

Although our routines can make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, having a little change in our lives can perk up a tedious schedule. 

Think about some ways that you can try to explore and do things a little different in your life. You could.....

Hang up a new picture

Alter your jogging route

Try a new hobby

Plan a road-trip

Try a new restaurant 


Take a walk in a different place than you normally would 

Take a class

Eat dessert FIRST!

Now you make your own list!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

                                    By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Living With Hope Counseling   

I started out a year ago counseling in private practice one evening a week. 

I slowly added another night, then Saturdays, then another night.




My New Office
  

A few months ago, I hung a picture up on my bulletin board of an office as a 'visionary dream board'! Now I have such an office! What is YOUR vision?

I am so blessed to now be able to be available to my clients full- time!

                         Tea Anyone?

I have wanted to be a counselor ever since I was a child when I visited a cousin in a youth home. His mother had handed him over to the state because she was a drug addict and alcoholic. 

That visit changed the course of my life. 

Helping others has been my passion ever since that meeting! 


Along with many Therapy Options, I now offer Sand Therapy, Art Therapy, and Play Therapy- treating children to ......the elderly.

  I treat many topics but specialize in Anxiety, Panic, Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self- Harm, Crisis, Depression, Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage and Stillbirth), Poor self Image/ Low Self-Esteem, Abuse Recovery (All Types), and Nutrition.

I hold a specialization in my education in Trauma and Crisis Counseling.
 

             Sand and Art Therapy Table


I also have a heart for at-risk youth and children and teens in the foster care system.

I offer free support groups for Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Grief and Loss, Abuse Recovery and Intervention and Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

I am personally a thriving survivor of multiple traumas, abuse, and anxiety. I am 100% healed and you can obtain healing too! 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
 

Free Support Groups for Adults of All Ages

1. Depression/ Feeling Hopeless Symptoms: Anxiety, Panic, Sadness, Mood Swings, Loneliness, Irritability, Fatigue, Poor Concentration, Excessive Crying,

Guilt, Pain, Sleep & Eating Difficulties, Decreased Energy, Self-Harm, Suicidal Thoughts, etc.

When: Every 1st Saturday   Time: 10:00am - 11:15am

2. Abuse Recovery - from all types of abuse (verbal, emotional/ mental, physical, sexual, neglect)

When: Every 1^st Saturday   Time: 2:00pm - 3:15pm

3. Trauma/ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)

Symptoms: Anxiety, Panic, Fear, Flashbacks, Avoidance, Isolation, Hyper-arousal, Guilt, Pain, Mistrust, Loneliness, Irritability, Horror, Shame, Poor Concentration, Anger, Hostility, etc.

When: Every 2nd Saturday   Time: 10:00am - 11:15 am

4. Grief and Loss- (Any type of loss)

Including:  Miscarriage / Stillbirth/ Infant Death

When: Every 3^rd Tuesday   Time: 7:00pm - 8:15pm

Where:  Michael Loftis LCSW Individual &Family Counseling 2670 Memorial Blvd, Suite E., Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Groups are led by Diane Gammon MS, Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Diane is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW 

Contact Diane by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email her at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com to register 

                         Registration is Required for Groups

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

                                    By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Living With Hope Counseling   

 

It is graduation time for many people -kindergarten through college. 

At this time, I want you to remember that it is never too late to back back to school! 

Whether it is to get your GED or a college degree, it it never too late! 

Last year, I graduated with my dream college degree to be a clinical mental health counselor- at 50. This is many years after I did not think that I was smart enough to attend college.

Last year, I also had a daughter graduate from college. 

This week, I have a daughter graduating from high school.

It is an exciting yet scary time for graduates.

They leave what helped shape them in their lives to this point. They leave behind special friendships and teachers who helped them grow.

To graduates- I say this: 

Hold on to the friendships and influences of others from your path- in your heart. These people will always be a part of you! 

Go and make new friends.
 
Do not judge others. 

Do not feed your fears. 

Do not live your life based on what you think others want from you. 

Be YOU. 

Be true to yourself 


Have an open mind and heart to learn and to be open to new experiences and new ways to looking at things...... while also being yourself.

Do not compare yourself to others, what they have, or what they want out of life.

Know that YOU are worthy and valuable no matter your background in life.

Your past does not define you.

No one can make you feel inadequate without you allowing it to happen.

Take risks in life but be responsible. 

Remember your value in Christ and do not let ANYONE dull your shine!

Do not allow ANYONE to make you believe differently about your goals and dreams than how you feel about them right now.   

Remember that you can do and go and be anything in life if you set your mind to it and you work at it. 

Remember- that goals and dreams do not have an expiration date! 

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously, that you might as well not have lived at all; in which case, you’ve failed by default.

J.K. Rowling to Harvard in 2008

   For My "Angel Face"- Mom Loves You!

                      By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions

Living With Hope Counseling   

 

 

This picture is my granddaughter at her Make-a-Wish Dream: Meeting Minnie Mouse. 

She was born a congenital  heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. 

She had her first open heart surgery soon after birth.

I share this to inspire you to  treasure the gift of your life.

Life is fragile! 

Do not hold grudges. 

Do not live in fear. 

Do not waste time letting hurt grow instead of forgiving and moving forward in your life! 

What are your passions?

What grudges are you holding on to that you can chose to let go? 

What fears are you holding on to that are preventing you from living life to the fullest? 

What and who do you need to forgive?

What addiction or habit do you need to stop to be able to live better instead of hiding in?

Get help. Seek Counseling. Go to a support group. Let things go that you do not have control over and start living in abundance!

Now is the time to stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop living in victim mentality of "poor me" and get help, make changes, and LIVE!

Free Support Groups for Adults of All Ages

1. Depression/ Feeling Hopeless Symptoms: Anxiety, Panic, Sadness, Mood Swings, Loneliness, Irritability, Fatigue, Poor Concentration, Excessive Crying,

Guilt, Pain, Sleep & Eating Difficulties, Decreased Energy, Self-Harm, Suicidal Thoughts, etc.

When: Every 1st Saturday   Time: 10:00am - 11:15am

2. Abuse Recovery - from all types of abuse (verbal, emotional/ mental, physical, sexual, neglect)

When: Every 1^st Saturday   Time: 2:00pm - 3:15pm

3. Trauma/ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)

Symptoms: Anxiety, Panic, Fear, Flashbacks, Avoidance, Isolation, Hyper-arousal, Guilt, Pain, Mistrust, Loneliness, Irritability, Horror, Shame, Poor Concentration, Anger, Hostility, etc.

When: Every 2nd Saturday   Time: 10:00am - 11:15 am

4. Grief and Loss- (Any type of loss)

Including:  Miscarriage / Stillbirth/ Infant Death

When: Every 3^rd Tuesday   Time: 7:00pm - 8:15pm

Where:  Michael Loftis LCSW Individual &Family Counseling 2670 Memorial Blvd, Suite E., Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Groups are led by Diane Gammon MS, Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Diane is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW 

Contact Diane by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email her at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com to register 

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  Isaiah 58:11

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

                            By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions

Living With Hope Counseling   

 

While we cannot often control what happens to us and the fact that many things will have a negative impact on our lives, we can control how we respond. 

It is okay to feel hurt, sad, anger, and pain. That is how we are wired. 

However, after dealing with the initial shock of something, we do have the power to chose to not let the sad or negative situation control our lives.

Allow yourself to grieve- to be angry- to hurt. 

Then, take the steps needed and get help to be able to work through the pain instead of letting it keep you from living a life of abundance!
                      By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions

Living With Hope Counseling   

 

 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms. 

I hope that you are able to celebrate and let your mother know how much you love and appreciate them.







In memory of Darlene Kay Davidson


For those of you who do not have a mother or a mother figure in your life, I know that this is a difficult time for you and I am so sorry. 

For those of you who have lost your mother or children, I am sorry for your losses. 

I want to encourage you to reflect today on who made a positive impact on your life and try and be thankful for them. 

Let who ever had a role in helping you in your life know that you appreciate them.

I personally lost my mother to cancer while I was in my late 20's. I have also had an infant daughter die as well as suffered 5 miscarriages. Because of my losses, I used to dread Mother's Day. 

I finally chose to stop feeling sorry for myself at one point years ago and chose to be thankful for the memories and for my blessings.


I hope and pray that if this day is difficult for you, that you can focus on your blessings and that you can be thankful as well.

                      By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Living With Hope Counseling   

 

 

Prayer changes lives. 

 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.Hebrews 4:16


   
It can change YOUR life! 

 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.Jeremiah 29:12

Praying is just talking to God. 

 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Romans 12:12

Talk to Him. 

 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.Psalm 145:18

He Loves and cares for you!

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7


 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.Mark 11:24

How do I become a Christian?

Becoming a Christian is a simple process of accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. The following steps may be helpful to you as you make this wonderful decision.

• A. Acknowledge that you have a need for Christ in your life. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and the result of our sinfulness is death - Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death.”
• B. Believe that Jesus died for you so that your sins might be forgiven. Romans 5:8 “But God shows His love for us, in that while were sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• C. Commit yourself to Him by praying and indicating that you desire for His forgiveness of your sin, and you desire for Him to take control of your life.

Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (NIV)

If you feel an urgency to make a decision after reading these preceding paragraphs, this means the Holy Spirit is working in your heart, drawing you into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are prepared to make this decision you might offer a simple word to Christ as demonstrated in the following prayer:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned and I need forgiveness for my sin.

I ask you to forgive me of my sin and to come into my life and become my Lord
and Savior. I commit my life to you and I ask you for guidance as I begin a new
life as a Christian."

God bless you as you consider making this decision or if you have just begun a new life in Christ!

Contact and attend a Christian church to learn more about your decision and to grow in Christ with other believers.

Reference- Calvary Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, TN

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Living With Hope Counseling   

 

Your life story thus far may not be something that you are too proud of or happy with.

It may be due to many reasons but for what ever reason, the story of your life is not going as you would like. 

You may feel that you cannot have a good life now or in the future because of your past. 

Your past may have enabled you to feel powerless to even think that your life could change. Oh but it CAN Change!

You need to change your way of thinking in that- your past does not define your future! Grow and learn from any possible lessons from what you have been through and vow to make yourself a better person because of them!

You may have been or are a victim of tragic and horrific acts, but you do not have to stay a victim. You do not have to live in fear or in a mental state of hopelessness...or in a state of feeling powerless.

Take your life back and get help if you need help getting past something difficult.

Do not let your circumstances- or people- or your past keep you from having a wonderful next chapter in your life story!

                        
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11


                     By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Living With Hope Counseling   


     

In the storms of life- there are blessings to be found! 

Have you ever went through a difficult time and didn't understand why things were going the way that they were....only to realize that it was in your best interest?

Sometimes things happens and we find out why things didn't go our way or that something better came out of what happened in our lives.

Other times, we just don't see the blessings and we wonder why? 

If you do not and cannot see a blessing in your storms of life-- hang in there! It is there somewhere and it might just not be time for it to be revealed to you yet!

Be Optimistic! Be Patient! Seek Wisdom! Learn and Grow! Be Thankful! LOOK for the Blessings!

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Living With Hope Counseling